Aspects of the disclosure relate to terminating flight of a balloon that may include separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of the balloon. In one example, a payload separation apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. In another example, a system includes a flight termination assembly having a cutting edge configured to cut an opening in the envelope and a payload separation apparatus. The apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket configured to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. The system also includes a controller configured to activate the cutting edge.
Payload separation for balloon flight termination
2018-08-28
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64B LIGHTER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT , Luftfahrzeuge leichter als Luft |
HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON WITH A PAYLOAD SEPARATION ASSEMBLY
European Patent Office | 2017
|High altitude balloon with a payload separation assembly
European Patent Office | 2017
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